Noticeboard

Ask our receptionists for a login so that you can use our website to the full

1. Order repeat prescriptions on-line

You can order all your repeat medications without having to put pen to paper or find your last counterfoil!

2. Synchronise your medications

It is a good idea to help us to synchronise your medications by a one off adjustment of the number of tablets you order next time using the 'synchronise medication form'

3. Book appointments on-line.

You can book (and cancel) appointments for any of the doctors for up to 8 weeks ahead

This should help you ensure that you see the doctor who knows you best

4. Consider using telephone appointments

These are available for every doctor each time they consult. It works best if the doctor knows you and you don't think you will need to be examined. There may be leeway as to the time the doctor phones you so please keep you mobile on until you have received the call.

5. Keep us up to date with changes of address, mobile numbers and email

We are increasingly using these to remind you of appointments you have booked and when reviews or blood tests are

needed

Complaints

We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice. However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.

To pursue a complaint please contact the practice manager who will deal with your concerns appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from reception.

Appointments

We strive to meet your expectations by providing on-line, telephone, sameday, 48 hour and long range appointments up to 90 days ahead.

We also offer some early morning and late evening appointments.

Extended Access

We are pleased to announce the start of our Extended Hours Service. GP and Nurse appointments will be offered Sat 08:00 - 20:00 and Sun 08:00 - 14:00 in addition to weekday evenings 18:00 - 22:00.

The service is run by our local GP Network. CGPN is a collaboration of Cambridgeshire practices formed to enable us to offer our patients greater choice and extended practice hours. This service operates from:

Nuffield Road Medical Centre, 10 Pippin Dr, Cambridge CB4 1GL

To book an appointment please call the practice and ask Reception

Practice Nurses

In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many conditions and you may be seen more quickly. Our nurses are best placed to answer travel vaccine queries, most minor illness and minor injuries and will take phone call consultations.

Telephone Advice

We have telephone appointments with the doctors, (the receptionist will arrange a time for the doctor to phone you back), and it is usually possible to speak to a nurse for advice.

Cancellations

If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else.

Home Visits

Whilst we encourage our patients to come to the surgery, where we have the proper equipment and facilities available, we do appreciate this is not always possible. In this respect, if you do need a home visit, you can help us by calling reception before 10:00.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed. Please bear this in mind and be prepared to provide suitable details to enable the doctor to schedule house calls

You can also be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

There are also other services available to help ill people remain in their own home. Sometimes it is more appropriate to use one of these services rather than see a doctor although a doctor would arrange this for you.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.